Key dates for the British Museum
The fascinating and much admired national treasure that is the British Museum is now over 250 years old. Having in fact celebrated the 251th anniversary since it was first opened to the public last month, here are a few key dates associated with this renowned institution: Founded in 1700 by Sir Hans Sloane, the museum began life as a private collection and was not officially opened to the masses until 15 January 1759. Various extensions and expansions took place over the next couple of hundred years, with the most recent being the addition of the Great Court, which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000.
